Heatlh Care Reform Update

Happy Holidays from the Prevent Blindness America Government Relations Team!

Health Care Reform Update

In the first time since 1895 the US Senate gathered for a vote on Christmas Eve. The Senate voted 60-39 at 7 am Christmas Eve morning to pass its version health care reform. Now that Senate has finished its work Congressional and White House leadership will be gathering to reconcile the two bills. Early next year we will have an analysis of both bills and all vision and eye health related items.

Healthy People 2020 Public Comment Period Coming to End

The deadline for public comments on Healthy People 2020 is fast approaching – December 31, 2009. We encourage you to communicate to your advocates via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter on the importance of providing comment on this important process. Attached is a draft communication for you to share.

In the coming weeks we will continue to update you on many events going on in Washington as well as provide many new opportunities for you to add your voice to many ensuring vision and eye health are a core part of our national health agenda.

Wishing all a very happy new year!
Andrea Densham

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020

LANGUAGE TO SEND TO ADVOCATES REGARDING COMMENT PERIOD

SPEAK OUT: IT'S TIME TO INCLUDE Vision And Eye Health IN AMERICA'S HEALTH PRIORITIES!

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently asking for public comment on the development of Healthy People 2020 (HP 2020), which will serve as the federal government's blueprint for a healthier nation for the decade between 2010 and 2020. Healthy People is a crucial component of attracting attention, funding, and other resources for improving the nation’s vision and eye health.

Prevent Blindness America is asking advocates like you to step up and speak out about the importance of vision and eye health issues by participating in the public comment period, which closes on December 31, 2009. The Department is counting on our community to comment on the need for a focus on vision and eye health in 2010 and beyond, so make your voice heard!

To comment please go to http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/comments.

Prevent Blindness America suggests that comments include a short statement on the following:

• Ensure the inclusion of vision objective 1 “Increase the proportion of preschool children aged 5 years and under who receive vision screening.”

• Include questions regarding vision and eye health on all major federal health surveys.

If you wish to comment specifically on particular target areas or objectives, please see specific suggested comments below.

More information about each of these points is available from Prevent Blindness America. For assistance with any comment please contact Jennifer Pennock at Prevent Blindness America at Jpennock@preventblindness.org or 312-363-6037.

Prevent Blindness America supports the first three objectives, which have been retained “as is” from Healthy People 2010:

HP 2020-1
Increase the proportion of preschool children aged 5 years and under who receive vision screening.

Potential Comments

• More than 12.1 million school-age children, or one in four, have some form of vision problem, yet only about 21 percent of preschool-age children have their vision screened, and only an estimated 14 percent of children receive eye examinations before entering kindergarten or first grade.

• The Partnership for Prevention, in reviewing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s listing of recommended clinical preventive services, has found that pediatric vision screening is inexpensive, treatment is effective and it improves the quality of life. The Task Force recommends screening to detect amblyopia, strabismus and defects in visual acuity in children younger than five years of age.

• According to the CDC, impaired vision can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurologic and physical development by potentially limiting the range of experiences and kinds of information to which the child is exposed.

• Prevent Blindness America acknowledges that professional eye examinations are the “gold standard” of eye care and should always be encouraged, but also believes that vision screening is an appropriate and essential element of a strong bublic health approach to children’s vision care. The purpose of vision screening is to increase the number of children in need of care who ultimately receive eye exams.

HP 2020-2
Reduce blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents aged 17 years and under.

Potential Comments

• Myopia, or near-sightedness, occurs in one in four individuals in the United States. In children, myopia is found in 2 percent of those entering first grade and 15 percent of those entering high school.

• Prevent Blindness America is pleased to note the reduction in the overall cases of blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents aged 17 years and under during the Healthy People 2010 years, and supports this objective remaining to further reduce this number.

HP 2020-3
Reduce occupational eye injuries

Potential Comments

• Eye injuries in the workplace are very common. More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day.

• About 1 in 10 injuries require one or more missed workdays to recover from.

• Of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10-20 % will cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

• Experts believe that the correct eye protection could have lessened the severity or even prevented 90% of eye injuries in accidents.

Prevent Blindness America supports the remaining vision objectives, which have been “retained but modified” from Healthy People 2010:

HP 2020-4
Increase the proportion of adults who have a comprehensive eye examination, including dilation, within the last 2 years and/or by age 45.

Potential Comments

• Many eye diseases and disorders have no symptoms or early warning signs. A dilated eye exam can detect changes in the retina or optic nerve or both.

• Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent vision loss in more than 90 percent of patients with diabetic retinopathy.

HP 2020-5
Reduce uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors.

Potential Comments

• One in two Americans has a refractive error or defect that can be corrected to provide sharper vision.

• 44 million Americans over the age of 40 have a refractive error (myopia or hyperopia).

• Further data is needed to determine racial, gender and disability disparities in refractive errors.

HP 2020-6
Reduce Visual Impairment.

Potential Comments

• 4.6 million Americans over the age of 40 are visually impaired or blind.

• 44 million Americans over the age of 40 have a refractive error (myopia or hyperopia).

• 2 million Americans over the age of 50 have age-related macular degeneration.

• 22 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataract.

• 4.5 million Americans over the age of 40 have diabetic retinopathy.

• 2.3 million Americans over the age of 40 have glaucoma.

• The annual cost of adult vision problems in the U.S. comes to approximately $51.4 billion.

• As the 9 million baby boomers with vision loss continue to age, the number of seniors with vision loss will continue to grow substantially.

• Of Americans who have vision loss and are 25 years of age and over, 4.5 million have less than a high school diploma, 6.0 million have a high school diploma or a GED, 5.4 million have some college education, and 3.6 million have a bachelor's degree or higher.

• Approximately 5.7 million people with vision loss in the U.S. have a family income of less than $20,000.

HP 2020-7
Increase the use of personal protective eyewear in recreational activities and hazardous situations around the home.

Potential Comments

• Each year in the United States, there are approximately 600,000 documented sports-related eye injuries, over 42,000 of which require emergency room attention and an estimated 13,500 of which result in a permanent loss of sight.

• Approximately 72 percent of sports eye injuries occur in individuals younger than 25 years, and approximately 43 percent occur in individuals younger than 15 years.

• More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of appropriate protective eyewear.

• Accidents involving common household products cause 125,000 eye injuries each year.

• Ninety percent of these home eye injures can be prevented through understanding, safety practices and the use of proper eye protection.

• Children suffer a disproportionate number of eye injuries, sustaining 27 to 52 percent of all ocular traumas.

HP 2020-8

Increase vision rehabilitation.

Potential Comments

• With the help of specially trained rehabilitation teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, low-vision specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists, individuals can learn the essential skills for living with vision loss.

• Many low-vision optical and adaptive devices are available to help individuals make the best use of their remaining vision.

View the Healthy People 2020 vision objectives on-line at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Objectives/TopicArea.aspx?id=48&TopicArea=Vision.

SPEAK OUT: IT'S TIME TO INCLUDE Vision And Eye Health IN AMERICA'S HEALTH PRIORITIES!

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently asking for public comment on the development of Healthy People 2020 (HP 2020), which will serve as the federal government's blueprint for a healthier nation for the decade between 2010 and 2020. Healthy People is a crucial component of attracting attention, funding, and other resources to improving the nation’s vision and eye health.

Prevent Blindness America is asking advocates like you to step up and speak out about the importance of vision and eye health issues by participating in the public comment period, which closes on December 31, 2009. The Department is counting on our community to comment on the need for a focus on vision and eye health in 2010 and beyond, so make your voice heard!

To comment please go http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Objectives/AddGeneralComment.aspx

Prevent Blindness America suggests that comments include a short statement on the following:

- Ensure the inclusion of vision objective 1 “Increase the proportion of preschool children aged 5 years and under who receive vision screening.”

-Include questions regarding vision and eye health on all major federal health surveys.

If you wish to comment specifically on particular target areas or objectives, you may do so at http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Comments/default.asp. Please see specific suggested comments for each vision objective.

More information about each of these points is available from Prevent Blindness America for assistance with any comment please contact Jennifer Pennock at Prevent Blindness America, at Jpennock@preventblindness.org or 312-363-6037.

Prevent Blindness America supports the first three proposed vision objectives be retained “as is” from Healthy People 2010:

HP 2020-1
Increase the proportion of preschool children aged 5 years and under who receive vision screening.

Potential Comments

• More than 12.1 million school-age children, or one in four, have some form of vision problem, yet only about 21 percent of preschool-age children have their vision screened, and only an estimated 14 percent of children receive eye examinations before entering kindergarten or first grade.
• The Partnership for Prevention, in reviewing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s listing of recommended clinical preventive services, has found that pediatric vision screening is inexpensive, treatment is effective and it improves the quality of life. The Task Force recommends screening to detect amblyopia, strabismus and defects in visual acuity in children younger than five years of age.
• According to the CDC, impaired vision can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurologic and physical development by potentially limiting the range of experiences and kinds of information to which the child is exposed.
• Prevent Blindness America acknowledges that professional eye examinations are the “gold standard” of eye care and should always be encouraged, but also believes that vision screening is an appropriate and essential element of a strong public health approach to children’s vision care. The purpose of vision screening is to increase the number of children in need of care who ultimately receive eye exams.

HP 2020-2
Reduce blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents aged 17 years and under.

Potential Comments

• Myopia, or near-sightedness, occurs in one in four individuals in the United States. In children, myopia is found in 2 percent of those entering first grade and 15 percent of those entering high school.
• Prevent Blindness America is pleased to note the reduction in the overall cases of blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents aged 17 years and under during the Healthy People 2010 years, and supports this objective remaining to further reduce this number.

HP 2020-3
Reduce occupational eye injuries

Potential Comments

• Eye injuries in the workplace are very common. More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day.
• About 1 in 10 injuries require one or more missed workdays to recover from.
• Of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10-20 % will cause temporary or permanent vision loss.
• Experts believe that the correct eye protection could have lessened the severity or even prevented 90% of eye injuries in accidents.

The remaining vision objectives have been “retained but modified” from Healthy People 2010:

HP 2020-4
Increase the proportion of adults who have a comprehensive eye examination, including dilation, within the last 2 years and/or by age 45.

Potential Comments

• Many eye diseases and disorders have no symptoms or early warning signs. A dilated eye exam can detect changes in the retina or optic nerve or both.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent vision loss in more than 90 percent of patients with diabetic retinopathy.

HP 2020-5
Reduce uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors.

Potential Comments

• One in two Americans has a refractive error or defect that can be corrected to provide sharper vision.
• 44 million Americans over the age of 40 have a refractive error (myopia or hyperopia).
• Further data is needed to determine racial, gender and disability disparities in refractive errors.

HP 2020-6
Reduce Visual Impairment.

Potential Comments

• 4.6 million Americans over the age of 40 are visually impaired or blind.
• 44 million Americans over the age of 40 have a refractive error (myopia or hyperopia).
• 2 million Americans over the age of 50 have age-related macular degeneration.
• 22 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataract.
• 4.5 million Americans over the age of 40 have diabetic retinopathy.
• 2.3 million Americans over the age of 40 have glaucoma.
• The annual cost of adult vision problems in the U.S. comes to approximately $51.4 billion.
• As the 9 million baby boomers with vision loss continue to age, the number of seniors with vision loss will continue to grow substantially.
• Of Americans who have vision loss and are 25 years of age and over, 4.5 million have less than a high school diploma, 6.0 million have a high school diploma or a GED, 5.4 million have some college education, and 3.6 million have a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Approximately 5.7 million people with vision loss in the U.S. have a family income of less than $20,000.

HP 2020-7
Increase the use of personal protective eyewear in recreational activities and hazardous situations around the home.

Potential Comments

• Each year in the United States, there are approximately 600,000 documented sports-related eye injuries, over 42,000 of which require emergency room attention and an estimated 13,500 of which result in a permanent loss of sight.
• Approximately 72 percent of sports eye injuries occur in individuals younger than 25 years, and approximately 43 percent occur in individuals younger than 15 years.
• More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of appropriate protective eyewear.
• Accidents involving common household products cause 125,000 eye injuries each year.
• Ninety percent of these home eye injures can be prevented through understanding, safety practices and the use of proper eye protection.
• Children suffer a disproportionate number of eye injuries, sustaining 27 to 52 percent of all ocular traumas.

HP 2020-8
Increase vision rehabilitation.

Potential Comments

• With the help of specially trained rehabilitation teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, low-vision specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists, individuals can learn the essential skills for living with vision loss.
• Many low-vision optical and adaptive devices are available to help individuals make the best use of their remaining vision.

View the Healthy People 2020 vision objectives on-line at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Objectives/TopicArea.aspx?id=48&TopicArea=Vision

November 14 is World Diabetes Day

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to 2005 figures. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. It affects the tiny blood vessels of the retina. Diabetic retinopathy affects over 4.4 million Americans age 40 and older. Diabetes also increases the risk of other eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. Along with age-related macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy contributes to an approximate annual cost to the U.S. of $35.4 billion. Persons diagnosed with diabetes should get a dilated eye exam annually.

For more information on diabetes and your eyes, go to:
http://www.preventblindness.org/diabetes/patcommunity/pat_community.htm

Prevent Blindness America Advocates for Eye and Vision Health

Prevent Blindness America is currently conducting key fall district visits to House and Senate Members who are crucial decision-makers about funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vision Health Initiative.

Since 2003, Prevent Blindness America and the CDC have been partners on a national vision health collaboration, aimed at strengthening and stimulating a public health effort to reduce and control vision problems in the United States. With funding from the CDC and assistance from other national vision partners, Prevent Blindness America is currently engaged in a multi-faceted national vision initiative, which will examine intervention models for identifying and treating individuals with potential vision disorders in both pediatric and adult populations.

At this time in our nation, when we are discussing health care reform, the Vision Health Initiative is a prime example of a successful public-private partnership serving Americans' health care needs through their eye and vision health. Half of all blindness can be prevented through education, early detection and treatment.

For more information about the CDC's Vision Health Initiative, go to http://www.cdc.gov./visionhealth/

For more information about Prevent Blindness America and your eye health, go to: http://www.preventblindness.org/.

House Releases New Health Reform Bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today a new health care reform bill today that includes a moderate version of the government-run public insurance plan option. The bill is a combined version of health reform legislation passed by the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor committees earlier this summer.

The bill could come to the House floor next week, after the special election on Tuesday, November 3. The full text of the legislation can be found at:
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

The Senate continues to work on merging the bills from the Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Pensions and Labor (HELP) Committee.

Prevent Blindness America continues to monitor health care reform legislation in both the House and the Senate to ensure that vision and eye health remain components of any legislation moving forward. Tell your Member of Congress about the importance of vision and eye health! Got to: https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=170

Health Care Reform: Next Step Merging House and Senate Bills

This week the Senate Finance Committee passed the America’s Healthy Future Act, a bill to reform the nation’s health system. The bill passed by a vote of 14-9. The bill must now be combined with the proposal passed earlier this summer by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Prevent Blindness America sent letters to House and Senate leadership and key stakeholders in the legislative process requesting that vision and eye health remain components of any health care reform bill. We ask our advocates to do the same: https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=170

All Americans deserve access to and coverage for comprehensive eye care. Good vision is an integral component to health and well-being, affects virtually all activities of daily living, and impacts individuals physically, emotionally, socially and financially. Loss of vision can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families. The inclusion of vision and eye health in any health care reform legislation is critically important. Half of all blindness can be prevented through education, early detection and treatment. Vision and eye health services, programs and research are critical to public health. We know that the annual cost of adult vision problems in the U.S. is approximately $51.4 billion and that we can save our public health care system billions of dollars if we identify vision and eye problems early and link our patients to the care they need.

Prevent Blindness America sought changes to the Senate HELP and House Tri-Committee bills to ensure that eye and vision health were covered under wellness and prevention programs. Specifically, Prevent Blindness America requested that the HELP bill include vision and eye health in school-based health clinics and under the Healthy Aging, Living Well section regarding types of screening activities.

Additionally, Prevent Blindness America is seeking a new section to the HELP bill authorizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vision Health Initiative, a critical eye and vision health program funded since FY 2003, which is similar to the oral health program authorized under the bill. The Vision Health Initiative’s goal is to identify preventable disease early saving sight and our nation’s health care system billions of dollars. The Vision Health Initiative includes projects to ensure appropriate follow-up care, a national data collection system, public education, strategies to integrate vision and eye health into all of our nation’s public health systems, and engagement of primary healthcare systems in addressing vision and eye health.

Under the Vision Health Initiative, Prevent Blindness America and its affiliates, regional offices, and expert partners across the country have established new programs in vision preservation and prevention aimed to improve the vision and eye health of all Americans. This successful program is identifying scientifically sound screenings for children and adults and ensuring that those who need care are linked directly to appropriate care. As the country moves forward toward health reform, public-private partnerships such as the CDC’s Vision Health Initiative are a model for effective, cost-efficient prevention and wellness programs.

Download a copy of the August 2009 Prevent Blindness America CDC report here: http://www.preventblindness.net/site/DocServer/CDC_Summary_Document.pdf?docID=1941

Replacement of Proven Sight-Saving Drug Critical to Protecting Vision in Newborns

Prevent Blindness America Advises Doctors and Expectant Parents to Educate Themselves on Shortage of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

CHICAGO (Oct. 7, 2009) – Due to a recent change in drug manufacturers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has responded to reports of a shortage of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment by offering guidelines on how to obtain a supply. Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment is the recommended drug treatment for ophthalmia neonatorum, commonly known as “Babies’ Sore Eyes.” According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment is also approved for the treatment of superficial ocular infections involving the conjunctiva and/or cornea caused by organisms susceptible to erythromycin.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety group, was founded more than 100 years ago as an organization dedicated to eradicating unnecessary vision loss to Babies’ Sore Eyes. At the time, some healthy babies developed blinding eye infections days after birth. It was discovered that administering silver nitrate to the newborn’s eyes immediately after birth successfully prevented the infection from developing. Today, Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment is now used instead of silver nitrate.

Bausch and Lomb and Fera Pharmaceuticals are increasing the production of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment in response to the shortage. Currently, the FDA Drug Shortages Web site has information regarding availability of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure we do everything we can to protect the vision of our children,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “Our organization was founded on the belief that all children should have the best possible opportunity for a full lifetime of healthy vision. We applaud the efforts of Bausch & Lomb, Fera Pharmaceuticals, the CDC and the FDA to address this shortage and urge them to do all they can to make sure this important issue is addressed with the highest importance.”

For professionals, the CDC recommends the following to secure supplies:

1. Review your supplies of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment (0.5%) routinely.

2. Reserve current supplies of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment (0.5%) for neonatal prophylaxis use.

3. For normal replacement supplies, contact your wholesale distributor directly.

4. For severely low supplies (i.e., depletion within a week), contact your wholesale distributor or call Bausch and Lomb customer service at 1-800-323-0000 directly. Notify the FDA drug shortage e-mail account (drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov ), if supplies are not available.

5. CDC has consulted with other experts about alternate recommendations for extreme situations where erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is not available. These recommendations are provided at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/erythromycinOintmentShortage.htm

For more information on the Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment shortage or general children’s eye health topics, please call Prevent Blindness America at 1-800-331-2020.

Download the press release
Department of Health and Human Services Letter

World Sight Day October 8

This Thursday, October 8, is World Sight Day. In recognition of this day, Prevent Blindness America is joining with Vision 2020/USA and a collaborative of its members to host a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill on "Gender Equity in Eye Care and Blindness Prevention," the topic for this year's World Sight Day. With Prevent Blindness America, other participating Vision 2020/USA organizations include: Alliance for Eye & Vision Research, American Optometric Association, Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology, the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, the Eye Bank Association of America, Helen Keller International, the International Eye Foundation, Lighthouse International, Optometry Giving Sight, Seva Foundation, VisionSpring and Women's Eye Health.

For more information on the 2009 World Sight Day and how vision and eye health, go to http://www.v2020.org. For more information about Prevent Blindness America, go to http://www.preventblindness.org.

If Health Reform Fails

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation issued a report this week indicating that, if health reform fails this year:

• Health care costs could increase more than 35% in every state by 2019
• The number of people without health insurance would increase by more than 30% in 29 states (the number of uninsured would increase by at least 10% in every state) in the next ten years
  
• Employers in 46 states would see their insurance premiums increase by more than 60% by 2019
  
• Every state would see spending for Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) increase by more than 75% by 2019.
  

The full report from Robert Wood Johnson can be downloaded here: http://www.rwjf.org/healthreform/product.jsp?id=49148.

The Health Reform debate continues in Congress. Prevent Blindness America continues to advocate for vision and eye health as components to any health care reform package. We join our other public health and patient advocacy partners in urging the Senate Finance Committee to include a Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund in health reform legislation. The HELP Committee bill includes such a fund to ensure that health reform strengthens the U.S. public health infrastructure and moves our health system toward one that is focused on prevention and preparedness (food safety issues, disease outbreaks, etc.). It is imperative that the U.S. health system focus on wellness and health promotion, and current health reform legislation is an excellent opportunity to reinforce this goal.

For more information on Prevent Blindness America and our health reform efforts, go to http://www.preventblindness.net/site/PageServer?pagename=advocacy_home&AddInterest=1161.

Massachusetts SB 850, Vision Care Registry

Katherine Majzoub, RN, MBA, Director of the Northeast Region for Prevent Blindness America, testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health in support of Senate Bill 850 on September 22.

This bill would establish a Vision Care Registry in the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts law requires vision screenings for school children and a mandated vision exam follow-up for children who fail the vision screening. Currently, there is no mechanism in place to track referrals and the follow-up exams.

The Vision Care Registry established by SB 850 would track vision screening information that would assist school health personnel as they manage referrals and treatment for children who fail a vision screening.

The Massachusetts General Assembly is expected to adjourn for this session on January 5, 2010. Legislation introduced in 2009 may be carried over to the 2010 session. Prevent Blindness America will continue to track the success of SB 850 and the other pieces of legislation addressing eye and vision health in Massachusetts.

Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and preserving sight. For more information on Prevent Blindness America, go to http://www.preventblindness.org/.

Health Reform This Week

The Senate Finance Committee will take up health care reform after Chairman Baucus released the Chair's Mark last week (http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/091609%20Americas_Healthy_Future_Act.pdf). Amendments to the legislation were due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 18. A full list and summaries of the amendments can be found here: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/legislation.htm. The Committee will meet at 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, September 22, to begin consideration of the bill and offer opening statements. On Wednesday, the Committee should begin considering amendments to the bill.

Prevent Blindness America continues to advocate for the inclusion of eye and vision health measures in the House and Senate bills on health care reform. Tell your Representative and Senators that eye and vision health are important to you. Send your letter today! https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=170

Senator Baucus Announces Health Care Reform Bill

Senator Baucus announced his health care reform bill on September 16 (a copy of the Chairman's mark can be found at http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/091609%20Americas_Healthy_Future_Act.pdf). The Senate Finance Committee will begin marking up the legislation next week.

Prevent Blindness America continues to advocate for the inclusion of eye and vision health in health care reform legislation considered by Congress. Additionally, we are partnering with other patient advocacy organizations dedicated to prevention and wellness to tell Congress to include coverage for those measures that will promote patient health and reduce long-term health care costs. We must reduce the burden of chronic disease on patients, providers and our health care delivery system.

Tell your Representative and Senators that health care reform must include provisions for eye and vision health! Support coverage for preventive measures that preserve and protect sight! Go to https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=170 to make your voice heard today!

September is Sports Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month

Prevent Blindness America has dedicated September as Sports Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month to encourage parents and children to make eye safety part of the game plan. Every 13 minutes, an emergency room treats a sports-related eye injury. And, 43 percent of sports-related eye injuries are to children ages 14 and younger. Fortunately, 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented just by wearing the proper eye protection but only 15 percent of children and 33 percent of adults reported that they consistently do that.

Likewise, nearly half of eye injuries occur in or around the home. More than 1.5 million eye injuries happen in the home. Every year, there are more than 2.5 million eye injuries, yet 90 percent of these could have been prevented by using protective eyewear. When starting any project, whether it be cleaning surfaces with chemicals, working on the car or doing yard work, Prevent Blindness America asks everyone to wear eyewear approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The eyewear should have the “Z-87” logo stamped on the frames and can be purchased at hardware stores and home building centers.

For more information on how to protect your eyes at home and eye protection recommendations, call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org.

PBA Advocacy Alert on Eye and Vision Health

Be a Voice for Vision! Vision and eye health must be part of meaningful health care reform adopted by Congress and the Administration. The U.S. House and Senate will return from Congressional recess on September 8 and, once again, consider health reform legislation. Tell your Representative and Senators that Vision and Eye Health must be part of health care reform legislation! Go to: https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=170.

Patients Finding it Difficult to Treat Eye Disease Without Health Reform

Many patients routinely skip medications, postpone needed surgeries or skip treatments altogether because, whether insured or not, they cannot afford health care treatment. No medical condition is immune to this situation, including eye disease and vision health. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) ran a Frontline episode called Sick Around America earlier this year highlighting individuals who were insured, under-insured and uninsured. One of the patients interviewed is forgoing cataract surgery because she cannot afford the surgery with her current insurance plan. To watch Sick Around America, go to:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/view/

Recently, a woman from North Carolina wrote in to CNN with her concerns about eye care under health care reform (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/17/cnn-truth-squad-no-eye-care-until-youre-blind-in-one-eye/#more-64934) as some health care reform rumors suggested that patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) would not have coverage for surgery until they were blind in one eye. This is false.

Prevent Blindness America is working hard to educate policymakers and the public about the importance of vision and eye health provisions under health care reform legislation. For more information about Prevent Blindness America and our advocacy positions, go to: http://www.preventblindness.net/site/PageServer?pagename=advocacy_home&AddInterest=1161.

August Congressional Recess

The U.S. House of Representatives has adjourned for August recess, and the U.S. Senate is expected to adjourn on August 7. Prevent Blindness America has asked our grassroots and grasstops advocates to attend town hall meetings over the August recess to talk to Members of Congress about the importance of eye and vision health and ask how eye and vision health are addressed in health care reform legislation before both chambers. We are grateful to have such strong vision advocates who call upon Congress to support eye and vision health. Both the House and the Senate will reconvene on September 8.

For more information on Prevent Blindness America, go to http://www.preventblindness.org/.

House and Senate Completing the FY 2010 LHHS Appropriations Process

The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee and full Appropriations Committee have passed FY 2010 LHHS appropriations. The Senate LHHS Subcommittee marked up FY 2010 appropriations on July 28, and the full Appropriations Committee is expected to vote this afternoon.

Both the House and Senate approved $3.229 million in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vision Health Initiative for FY 2010. Prevent Blindness America is proud of the 34% increase the Vision Health Initiative received under FY 2009 appropriations. The small increase for FY 2010 is not surprising given the current economic climate. We will continue to work hard to grow this important program as we seek to preserve sight and prevent blindness.

I would like to thank our grassroots advocates for sending over 1300 advocate emails to House and Senate Members on behalf of our FY 2010 appropriations request for the Vision Health Initiative. Thank you vision advocates!

Senate to take up FY 2010 LHHS Appropriations on July 28

The Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Subcommittee is scheduled to take up FY 2010 appropriations on July 28.

Prevent Blindness America is seeking $4.5 million in FY 2010 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vision Health Initiative (VHI). The House LHHS Appropriations Committee approved funding for the VHI that fell short of the $4.5 million needed to sustain and expand efforts to address the growing public health threat of preventable vision loss among older Americans, low-income, and under-served populations. This level of funding would also increase support for eye disease surveillance and evaluation systems, to ensure our nation has much-needed epidemiological data regarding overall burden and high-risk populations, so we can formulate and evaluate strategies to prevent and reduce the economic and social costs associated with vision loss and eye diseases.

You can be a Voice for Vision and advocate for eye and vision research and programs! Go to:

https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=166

House Labor, Health and Education Appropriations Vote Today

The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on FY 2010 LHHS Appropriations today. The LHHS Subcommittee proposed nearly flat funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vision Health Initiative (VHI), a program that has been underfunded for the past three fiscal years.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) requested $4.5 million for the VHI in FY 2010, and the House Appropriations Committee's allocation falls short of this request. The $4.5 million in funding would sustain and expand PBA's efforts to address the growing public health threat of preventable vision loss among older Americans, low-income, and under-served populations. It would also increase funding to support eye disease surveillance and evaluation systems, to ensure our nation has much-needed epidemiological data regarding overall burden and high-risk populations, so we can formulate and evaluate strategies to prevent and reduce the economic and social costs associated with vision loss and eye diseases.

Prevent Blindness America will focus its advocacy efforts on the Senate now as it begins to consider FY 2010 appropriations. For more information about our appropriations requests and to send a letter to your Senators, go to http://www.preventblindness.org/.

Health Care Reform Continues

On June 17, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee began its markup of the Affordable Health Choices Act. Prevent Blindness America and a number of affiliates have reached out to Committee members to help promote the inclusion of vision and eye health related items in this bill. The HELP Committee, which has already considered more than 200 amendments to the bill, resumed consideration of the legislation this week.

The House Tri-Committee bill is expected to be introduced on July 10. The Energy and Commerce Committee is set to begin markup on the bill on Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16. Prevent Blindness America has reviewed the Tri-Committee discussion draft released last month and looks forward to evaluating the the bill when it is introduced to ensure that eye and vision health are included in this health care reform piece.

For more information on the HELP Committee bill, go to http://help.senate.gov/index.html. For more information on the Tri-Committee bill, go to http://waysandmeans.house.gov/MoreInfo.asp?section=52. Information on the Senate Finance Committee bill will be available when it is introduced.

Prevent Blindness America's positions on health care reform may be found at http://www.preventblindness.net/site/PageServer?pagename=advocacy_Resources.

Be Safe This Fourth of July Holiday

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, is urging the public to refrain from purchasing or using fireworks. Fireworks were involved in an estimated 7,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2008 (2008 Fireworks Annual Report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission).

Unfortunately, more than 40 percent of all fireworks injuries were to children under the age of 15. In fact, sparklers accounted for the most injuries that required medical attention to children ages 4 and under. Some may be surprised to learn that sparklers were associated with the most number of injuries to both adults and children. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “safe and sane” fireworks caused more injuries than illegal fireworks, especially to preschool children.

The second most common injury from fireworks is to the eyes, including contusions and lacerations, debris in the eye and burns.

The best defense against children suffering from an eye injury or burn is to not let them play with fireworks. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators.

For more information about Prevent Blindness America's position on fireworks, go to: http://www.preventblindness.org/advocacy/fireworks.html

For more information on fireworks from the National Fire Protection Association, go to: http://tinyurl.com/o4mrcb.

Congress Set to Take up FY 2010 Appropriations after 4th of July Recess

Prevent Blindness America is working hard to secure FY 2010 appropriations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vision Health Initiative, the National Institutes of Health and the National Eye Institute. An estimated 80 million Americans have a potentially blinding eye disease, 3 million have low vision, 1.1 million are legally blind, and 200,000 are more severely visually impaired. While vision impairment and blindness are among the most feared disabilities, effective public health initiatives can dramatically decrease these numbers.

Congress is in recess this week for the 4th of July holiday but is set to take up appropriations bills when they return next week. You can be a Voice for Vision. Click here:
https://secure2.convio.net/pba/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=166
to advocate for funding for sight-saving programs.

Half of all blindness can be prevented through education, early detection and treatment. Funding for vision and eye health research is critical to public health.

The FDA is Taking Steps to Improve Contact Lens Safety

The FDA issued a press release and consumer update this week detailing the steps the agency is taking to improve contact lens safety through consumer awareness activities. The new consumer update provides safety information to consumers, an explanation of the rub and rinse method, and a list of Do's and Don'ts for contact lens wearers.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM166549.pdf

Contact lens wearers should follow their eye doctor's instructions about care and cleaning of their lenses. Contact lens wearers who do not follow proper cleaning and storage instructions for their lenses may increase their risk of serious eye infections that can lead to blindness. For more information about proper care for your contact lenses or the risks associated with wearing contact lenses, go to http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/contacts.html.

Bill to Give FDA Authority to Regulate Tobacco Products Passes U.S. Senate

Senate Bill 982, a bill to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, passed the Senate today by a vote of 79-17. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061102793.html

The U.S. House passed similar legislation, House Resolution 1256, in April.

Tobacco use has been linked to a number of health problems and is the single greatest cause of disease and premature death in the in the United States today. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, including the eye.

Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, is the second leading cause of legal blindness in the United States, and recent studies link AMD to smoking. Over 2 million Americans have AMD, contributing to the $51.4 billion annual cost of adult vision problems to the U.S. AMD is a condition that primarily affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. An individual with AMD may have blurry or wavy central vision or a blind spot in their central vision.

For more information on Age-related Macular Degeneration, go to http://www.preventblindness.org/amd/

To view a copy of Prevent Blindness America's "Vision Problems in the U.S." report or "The Economic Impact of Vision Problems" report, go to:
http://www.preventblindness.net/site/PageServer?pagename=advocacy_Resources

Prevent Blindness America Joins Efforts to Guarantee Health Care and Coverage for All Americans

Prevent Blindness America joined the National Health Council and 47 other patient advocacy organizations in releasing a statement to President Obama and the 111th Congress on June 2, 2009 to urge the Administration and Congress to enact solutions to guarantee effective and affordable health and long-term care coverage for all Americans (http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/NHC_Files/Pdf_Files/ToPresidentandCongress_06-01-09.pdf). Specifically, Prevent Blindness America and the other patient advocacy organizations request that health reform legislation:

• Cover Everyone;
• Curb Costs Responsibly;
• Abolish Exclusions for Pre-existing Conditions;
• Eliminate Lifetime Caps; and
• Ensure Long-term and End-of-Life Care.

The National Health Council's press release on this statement can be found here: http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/NHC_Files/Pdf_Files/NR-CEO_statement_06-01-09.pdf.

Since 1908, Prevent Blindness America has been the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight.
http://www.preventblindness.org

Prevent Blindness America responds to Senate Finance Committee's health care reform proposal

Today, Prevent Blindness America sent a letter to Senators Baucus and Grassley, chair and ranking member respectively of the Senate Finance Committee, to promote vision and eye health as integral to health care reform focused on prevention and wellness. We are calling upon Congress to ensure that all Americans have coverage for - and access to - vision care services. Vision care services consistently have been found to help prevent blindness, reduce vision loss, improve quality of life and well-being, increase productivity, and reduce costs and burdens on the nation's health care system. It is critical as we move forward that our Representative know how important vision services are to you and your family. Please share your story with Prevent Blindness America: email Jennifer Pennock at jpennock@preventblindness.org.

On May 11, the Senate Finance Committee released their Description of Policy Options - Expanding Health Care Coverage: Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans paper (http://www.finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/051809%20Health%20Care%20Description%20of%20Policy%20Options.pdf). The Senate Finance Committee, and Chairman Max Baucus, are at the center of the health care reform debate, and the recently released policy options paper lays out options for health care reform and a framework for achieving health reform goals.

Prevent Blindness America continues to advocate for funding for vital vision and eye health research and programs. To that end, we request that, for FY 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vision Health Initiative be funded at $4.5 million, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) receive $32.4 billion for biomedical research and the National Eye Institute (NEI) receive $736 million. On May 20, we were pleased to join with our vision advocacy partners to send a letter to Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Thad Cochran, Representative David Obey, and Representative Todd Tiahrt to provide details on our funding requests for the CDC, NIH and NEI and emphasize the importance of vision and eye health. To view a copy of the letter, go to: http://www.preventblindness.net/site/DocServer/PBAVAPsignonletter0509.pdf?docID=1861. On May 21, Prevent Blindness America submitted written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee regarding these funding requests.

FY 2010 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vision Health Initiative

An estimated 80 million Americans have a potentially blinding eye disease, 3 million have low vision, 1.1 million are legally blind, and 200,000 are more severely visually blind. Vision is critical to conducting activities of daily living, is a portal for language, and affects developmental learning, communicating, working, health, and quality of life. While vision impairment and blindness are among the most feared disabilities, effective public health initiatives can dramatically decrease these numbers.

As one of the nation’s foremost public health agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), serves a critical role in promoting vision health, and has been doing so through its Vision Health Initiative (VHI). Since 1908, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has been the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight. Beginning in 2003, these two organizations have become strong partners in a national vision health collaboration, aimed at strengthening and stimulating a public health effort to reduce and control vision problems in the United States.

Prevent Blindness America requests $4.5 million in federal funding to sustain and expand its efforts to address the growing public health threat of preventable vision loss among older Americans, low-income, and underserved populations, as well as to increase funding to support eye disease surveillance and evaluation systems, to ensure our nation has much-needed epidemiological data regarding overall burden and high-risk populations, so we can formulate and evaluate strategies to prevent and reduce the economic and social costs associated with vision loss and eye diseases. This funding will enhance the CDC’s Vision Health Initiative, its partnership with PBA, and will begin to reduce the incidence of vision loss and improve sight.